The aim of the get-together is to provide chapter members the opportunity to meet others with retinal degenerative diseases in an informal setting free from a meeting agenda.

Chapter leaders elected to have the social at Starbucks as a way to repay the company for their involvement in the 6th Annual Jacksonville VisionWalk that took place earlier this year. Approximately 25 Starbucks volunteers donated 107 service hours, which equals a $1500 grant. The volunteers prepared and served coffee, which Starbucks donated, at the Jacksonville VisionWalk. Some volunteers also served as judges for the VisionWalk's team t-shirt contest and team spirit contest.

Community service is an integral part of Starbucks' corporate culture. According to their website, they "believe in the power of the coffeehouse to bring people together." The stores "allow Starbucks partners (employees) and customers to connect and tap into shared passions to be catalysts for change."

The social will take place Sat., Aug. 2, from 10 a.m.-noon at the Starbucks located at 4765-1 Hodges Blvd. in Jacksonville, according to an email sent out to Jacksonville chapter members on Monday.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a nonprofit organization that drives funding and research for retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases, according to the organization's website.

VisionWalk is the organization's national signature fundraising event, with over 50 Walks nationwide. Since its inception in 2006, VisionWalk has raised over $30 million to help fund treatments and cures for retinal degenerative diseases.

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Jacksonville Blind Community Examiner
Adriann Keve is a chapter leadership member of the Foundation Fighting Blindness's Jacksonville Area Chapter. Adriann is legally blind and actively participates in raising awareness of retinal degenerative diseases and blindness. She graduated with high honors from the University of North Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.